The Shadow
SOUTHERN PINES, NC – Mountain Gateway Community College advanced to the Region 10 DIII Men’s Basketball semifinals tournament following a 84-77 first-round victory over Virginia Peninsula Community College in Southern Pines, NC on Friday, February 23rd.
In what was the Roadrunners regular season finale just four days prior, MGCC knocked off the Gators 103-80 at home in Clifton Forge. The two teams split their regular season 1-1. VPCC defeated MGCC 88-80 on February 3rd in Hampton.
The four-seeded Mountain Gateway found themselves down by a slim two points 48-46 at halftime before having a defensive surge in the second half as they held Virginia Peninsula CC to only 28 second half points.
It was the Roadrunners bench that came up huge for MGCC. The bench scored 44 points as they were led by a team-high 19 points from Dae Dae Bowens who put together another impressive double-double performance as he reeled in 21 rebounds. It was Bowens ninth 20+ rebound game of the season.
Mountain Gateway CC had five players in double figures. Along with Bowens, Jaden Rice had 17, while Brandon Pritchett scored 15, and Conye Davis & Kam Byrd each had 10.
The Roadrunners advanced to the semifinals to play against top seeded Sandhills. The Flyers defeated MGCC in both regular season contests.
Virginia Peninsula CC 48 29 – 77
Mountain Gateway CC 46 38 – 84
MOUNTAIN GATEWAY CC (84) – C. Davis 10, J. Rice 17, W. Butler 3, A. Harrison 8, T. Hodge 2, B. Pritchett 15, D. Bowens 19, K. Byrd 10.
3-Pointers – Mountain Gateway CC 8 (J. Rice 3, C. Davis 2, K. Byrd 2, D. Bowens 1).
